Page 185 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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thus cannot make appropriate decisions.
Muslim women know the selfish ego's qualities
and how to fight them, for their personalities and lives

are defined by the Qur'an. They know that emotionalism
clouds the mind, prevents reality from being seen as it is,
and causes weakness and irresolution. In addition, they are
very well aware that such stereotypical qualities as being senti-
mental, upset, introverted, angry, and envious are not consistent
with the believers' character, because Allah does not like it and tells
Muslims to refrain from it.
These behavioral defects issue from flawed beliefs and the lack of
sufficient awareness of certain facts. People who easily surrender to them
have either forgotten or else continue to deny the fact that Allah is All-
Powerful; creates everything according to His wisdom, justice, and good-
ness; creates whatever He wills; and answers all prayers.
Genuine surrender and dedication to Him, as well as knowing that
He controls everything, results in seeing goodness in everything and pre-

vents inappropriate emotion-based behavior. Muslim women guard
themselves against all such behavioral defects out of their strong love,
and fear and respect of Allah. They seek to be role models of Islamic be-
havior, personality, and high morality, as revealed in the following verse:
"Those who say: 'Our Lord, give us joy in our wives and children and
make us a good example for those who guard against evil'" (Surat al-
Furqan: 74). Thus, they never give way to depression or emotionalism.
Avoiding these non-Islamic character traits, they acquire a strong
personality in order to serve as examples to other women and act in full
awareness of this responsibility. By cleansing their ego from wicked-
ness, they find generosity and contentment in both worlds and
thus live happy lives: "It is the people who are safeguarded
from the avarice of their own selves who are successful"
(Surat al-Hashr: 9).

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)